More than 200 print and electronic media members from 22 states and as far away as Germany are registered to participate in the Jan. 22-25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Media Tour hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway.The largest off-season media event in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup racing, the 24th edition of this annual season preview begins Monday afternoon, Jan. 22, and continues through Thursday afternoon, Jan. 25.With support from sponsors Nextel and NASCAR, the Media Tour gives registered participants the opportunity to tour race shops; meet with drivers, crew chiefs and team owners; and discuss the latest developments and news with motorsports industry leaders."The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Media Tour allows journalists from around the world to take fans inside the sport as drivers and teams prepare for the new season," said H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway. "The tour is as important to the Fourth Estate as pre-season testing is to the race teams."Journalists from New York, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Miami, Nashville, Toronto and Montreal are among those registered to participate, representing such media outlets as USA Today, The New York Times, TV Guide and The Associated Press.Hendrick Motorsports, Ginn Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, Robert Yates Racing, Richard Childress Racing, Petty Enterprises, Dale Earnhardt Inc., Roush Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Penske Racing, Haas CNC Racing, Evernham Motorsports and Wood Brothers/JTG Racing are among the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup teams scheduled to host Media Tour events.Toyota will bring its NEXTEL Cup drivers and team owners together for a gala dinner and the Media Tour will also make its annual visit to the NASCAR Research and Development Center where officials are expected to make several announcements. A groundbreaking ceremony for the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte is also part of the schedule.The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Media Tour will be headquartered at the new Embassy Suites Hotel and Concord Convention Center on Speedway Blvd. near Lowe's Motor Speedway.For information on the NASCAR NEXTEL Media Tour hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway, contact the Lowe's Motor Speedway marketing and public relations department at (704) 455-3209.